The Rise Insight proudly congratulates Nikita Verma, whose groundbreaking work Gender, Power and the Sacred: A Feminist Analysis of Cross-Cultural Mythological Narratives has been nominated for the TRI Literary Awards 2025 – Season 03 in the Non-Fiction category. This nomination is a testament to Verma’s scholarly brilliance, powerful voice, and her ability to shed light on some of the most enduring questions surrounding gender, power, and cultural narratives.
Gender, Power and the Sacred is more than a book; it is a bold intellectual exploration of how mythology shapes, reinforces, and challenges gender ideologies across centuries. By examining iconic mythological figures—from Venus and Mars of Roman mythology to Aphrodite and Ares of Greece, and divine pairs such as Shiva-Parvati and Zeus-Hera—Verma unravels how these ancient stories are far more than timeless tales. They are cultural blueprints that have long dictated social norms, particularly the roles and representations of women.
Why TRI Chose This Book for the Award
The TRI Literary Awards celebrate works that break new ground, challenge conventional thinking, and contribute to the advancement of knowledge. Verma’s book stood out as a deeply researched, interdisciplinary masterpiece that blends feminist theory, classical literature, psychoanalysis, visual studies, and gender studies into one coherent narrative. It speaks not only to academics but to anyone seeking to understand the intersections of mythology, power, and patriarchy.
What particularly impressed the TRI panel is how the book confronts the double standards imposed on mythological women—figures who are simultaneously revered as divine and yet bound by restrictive roles. Through critical analysis and modern reinterpretation, Verma shows how these narratives still influence contemporary gender dynamics. By drawing on the work of iconic thinkers like Simone de Beauvoir, bell hooks, Judith Butler, Laura Mulvey, and Sandra Gilbert, she has created a text that is both scholarly and deeply personal—a form of resistance and reclamation.
Moreover, Gender, Power and the Sacred is not confined to the past; it demonstrates how mythology continues to evolve in meaning. By juxtaposing ancient myths with modern feminist perspectives, Verma challenges readers to ask: Who tells our stories, and how does that shape our understanding of gender? This unique approach and the book’s ability to blend historical depth with contemporary relevance make it a powerful contender for the TRI Literary Awards.
Congratulations to Nikita Verma
We at The Rise Insight are honored to celebrate Nikita Verma’s nomination. Her work is a shining example of how literature and scholarship can create social impact, encouraging readers to rethink the cultural narratives that have shaped gender perceptions for centuries. We applaud her for this remarkable achievement and wish her the very best in the final selection for the TRI Literary Awards 2025.
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